Raw Deal For Foreign Fishermen

Trade unionists yesterday slammed alleged poor treatment of Filipino fishermen in Northern Ireland.

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions has described the situation as "absolutely appalling and unacceptable".

A union statement said the fishermen are suffering exploitation, poor pay, abuse, intimidation and even physical attacks.

These were highlighted in a report published by trade unionist to mark International Human Rights Day.

Ken Flemming of the International Transport Federation said unscrupulous members of the fishing industry in the UK were illegally using temporary transport visas.

"The visa is being used by the boat owners as a flag of convenience to bring workers in and place them on fishing boats that never intend to leave these islands.

"It cannot be described as anything other than illegal and the UK embassy in Manila is complicit in continuing to issue these visas," he alleged.

He said that the practice started in Scotland two years ago and spread to Northern Ireland and according to the report, Filipino fishermen had signed contracts and were paid a rate relevant to the Philippines but not the UK, earning US$553 (£374) including overtime for working nearly 300 hours a month.

He said that, if the fishermen were paid the UK minimum wage, they would get more than £1,600 a month.

Apparently, over 200 Filipinos are employed in such a way in Scotland, 200 more in the Irish Republic, 160 in Northern Ireland and an unknown number in England.

Commenting, Patricia McKeown, President of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions said: "This is an absolute outrage.

"If this is the only way that our fishing industry can provide then we need to think again about the future of the industry."

Ms McKeown added: "The exploitation, the physical abuse, the closing of communities so that the story will not get out is utterly unacceptable."

Asked about the situation on BBC Radio Ulster, Northern Ireland Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew insisted she would not tolerate any worker being treated badly or paid low wages.

She said she wanted to see prosecutions, adding: "In the meantime we will be doing what we can to sort out the visa situation."

Party colleague, Sinn Fein MLA and member of the Policing Board Alex Maskey has also slammed the treatment on Filipino Fishermen calling it archaic and indentured labour in many cases.

He has further called for a spotlight to be kept upon the treatment of foreign workers who face exploitation.

"The recent revelations of how Filipino fishermen are being abused is shocking and reminiscent of feudal times and slavery and I welcome the work of those who have exposed this. The rights of these men must be protected.

"Filipino fishermen are getting well below the minimum wage, they are not being paid as they should with the right money being sent home to their families and have to work horrendously long hours.

"Following this exposure and the deplorable news of human trafficking that was reported only last week we need to keep the spotlight on foreign workers or people being brought to this country for whatever reason, their rights and entitlements and ensure that they are being met.

"This is the twenty-first century and there are significant human rights advances that must be adhered to by all," he concluded.

(BMcC)